In case you want to play around with this (and/or for future
reference), here are some of my notes on the natural remedies I've
collected/researched over the years for myself and others who've broken bones. (I broke a toe a few years ago, took care of it myself [ie, no doctor/hospital], it healed extremely quickly--2.5 months--and I now have to really look hard to see which toe it was!)

You can find most of the
plants/herbs growing wild if you're out with someone who knows
plants. The rest you should be able to find at an herbal supply
or health food store.

I hope this is useful to you...and that you send me your
additions! If something ends up working for you, please so I can pass the word on to others via this page, etc. :)Disclaimer: What I'm sharing with you here are my notes for myself, just to trigger my own memory and knowledge. So, you may want to use this list as a starting place to do a bit more research on your own (check the herbal glossary on the previous page, the web, etc) on any particular plant/herb/etc. before taking it. If you have any special medical conditions, or are taking any special medications, you'll probably want to check with a doctor beforehand. In short, use my notes here as a starting place, and at your own risk, rather than as a particular recommendation! :-)

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Here's some natural bone healing remedies that I'm personally aware of.
As with all such remedies, you'll have to see which ones work for
you.

Herbs/teas/foods/minerals that accelerated the healing for me when I broke my toe...

Comfrey Root (I bought a tincture and would squeeze drops into my cereal, tea, etc...tho you can also put a poultice on the area directly...and/or an infusion of comfrey, horsetail and mousear after the plaster cast has been removed...similar for direct application of Arnica, which you can also find in a gel or cream). I've also read that Aloe vera helps encourage the healing of broken bones, and that it can be applied both externally as a gel, and can be taken internally (Juice: 1-2 fl oz [2-4 tbsp], up to 4x/day, best before meals/supplements to increase absorption).

Drinking 3-5 cups of tea made from Comfrey Root, Mallow Root, Plantain, Bone Set and/or Chia Seed (taken singly or in combination) will also speed the healing. Meanwhile, eating lots of very green salads, carrots, celery and parsely...raw vegetable juice...natural protein sources...and lots of whole grains will also help a lot...and sugars, chocolate, soda, candy or unnatural processed food will slow the healing (sorry ;-) .

[ UPDATE: While fine used externally, comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, compounds that are potentially toxic to the liver...so there is some controversy about its safety when used _internally_...especially the *root*. One recent study by notied boichemist Bruce Ames, Ph.D., of UC berkeley, indicated that comfrey *leaf* tea is less carcinogenic than an equivalent amount of beer, however, so this is the way I'd go for just a few weeks as a booster in addition to the external poultices that you can use indefinitely. ]

Obviously, you also want to increase your calcium intake, as well as magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin A.

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FROM "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies"...

* A comfrey poultice can be applied to the affected area to encourage healing. Use an infusion of comfrey, horesetail, and mousear and apply locally (when the plaster cast has been removed) to help heal the broken bones. Comfrey root can be taken internally (in small amounts, for a short time) to set the bone and encourage healing.

[ NOTE: While fine used externally, comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, compounds that are potentially toxic to the liver...so there is some controversy about its safety when used _internally_...especially the *root*. One recent study by notied boichemist Bruce Ames, Ph.D., of UC berkeley, indicated that comfrey *leaf* tea is less carcinogenic than an equivalent amount of beer, however, so this is the way I'd go for just a few weeks as a booster in addition to the external poultices that you can use indefinitely. ]

* Arnica, every 10 min after the injury, then every 8 or 10 hours thereafter, as necessary. [ Don't take internally, but look for commercial homeopathic arnica ointments containing up to 15% arnica oil and follow package directions. ]

HOMEOPATHY:
Symphytum (bone knit) can be used for up to 3 weeks to promote healing. Do not take this unless you are sure the bone is aligned, for the healing is profound.

AYURVEDA:
Aloe vera will help to encourage the healing of broken bones, and can be applied externally as a gel, or taken internally. (Juice: 1-2 fl oz [2-4 tbsp], up to 4x/day, best before meals/supplements to increase absorption)

VITAMINS AND MINERALS:
Increase your calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus intake. Increase your intake of vitamin A, D3 and K. Foods such as carrots are a good source of A.

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FROM "Prescription for NATURAL CURES", by Balch, MD and Stengler, ND

RECOMMENDED FOOD (see also: attached .pdf file):

* Eat foods that are high in calcium and the other nutrients needed for calcium's assimilation. Sea vegetables, green leafy vegetables (except spinach), soybeans, nuts, molasses, salmon, oysters, sardines (with the bones), broccoli, and unsweetened cultured yogurt are all good sources.
* Green vegetables, such as collard greens, kale, romaine lettuce, and others, are important for their vitamin K content, which helps with bone formation.
* Fermented soy products, such as tofu and miso, are good for the bones.
* Essential fatty acids found in walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds, and fish are important for healthy bones.

FOOD TO AVOID:

* Eliminate sugar, refined grains, and soda pop drins from your diet, as they contribute to bone loss.
* High salt intake is linked to bone loss. Do not eat processed foods, which are usually loaded with salt, and never add conventional table salt to your meals.
* Restrict your use of caffeine and alcohol, as they contribute to bone loss.

7 SUPER PRESCRIPTIONS FOR BONE FRACTURE:

1) Homeopathic Symphytum (Symphytum officinale): Take a 30C potency four times daily for two weeks. Symphytum is a specific remedy for healing bones and reducing fracture pain more quickly. Make sure to use Symphytum only after the fracture has been set, as it rapidly speeds knitting of the bone.

2) Organic Calcium: Take 500-600 mg twice daily in divided doses of well-absorbed calcium complexes, such as citrate, citrate-malate, chelate, or hydroxyappatite. Calcium is the main mineral that bone is composed of. (Be sure to take Organic Calcium. Most supplements and prescription calcium are inorganic, which is not easily bioavailable/absorbed and carries an increased risk of heart attack)

3) Magnesium: Take 250-350 mg twice daily in divided doses. Magnesium is required for proper calcium metabolism and bone formation. Some researchers feel that it is as important as calcium. NOTE: Reduce doesage if loose stools occur.

4) Vitamin D3: Take 800 IU daily for one month and then 40 IU daily. This vitamin improves intestinal calcium absorption and reduces the urinary excretion of calcium. (Be sure to take Vitamin D3 -- NOT D2!)

5) Vitamin K: Take 5 mg daily for one month and then 100-500 mcg daily to finish bone healing. Vitamin K is needed to form the protein osteocalcin, a substance that attracts calcium into the bone matrix. Low levels of vitamin K are associated with osteoporosis and fractures. NOTE: Do not use if you're taking blood-thinning medications.

6) High-potency multivitamin: This provides a base of the nutrients required for healthy bones. Take as directed on the container.

More on p.98-100, "Prescription for NATURAL CURES", by Balch, MD and Stengler, ND

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From "Medicinal Plants"

Wild Oats (these grow just about everywhere in CA...and the "oats part", when stripped from the stem makes a mild and pleasant tea for relaxing at night before bed):

American Indians used the root tea to treat diarrhea and as a "blood purifier"; taken internally to aid in healing broken bones. Poulticed for boils and broken bones.

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Email message sent to a friend diagnosed with osteoporosis:

I wanted to get you the recipe for the bone strengthening broth, so I scanned that in for you (attached here). You'll also find info on some of the veggies, cabbage, dandelion, soybean, avocado, horsetail, etc. that you can keep in mind when you make your grocery list, add to your diet, etc. :)

1) Getting lots of sunshine (which produces vitamin D in the skin, which is important for calcium absorption and metabolism) is important for mitigating osteoporosis...especially since vit D is found in few foods (mostly dairy and oily fish...tho it's better to get it from sunlight since vit D is the most toxic of the vitamins...causing nausea, vomiting, headache, depression, etc. if you get too much via foods or supplements...while this can't happen via sunlight. :) Suggested dosage: 5-10mcg for those at risk of deficiency, but not more than 10mcg daily.

2) Some recent research has reported that boron added to the diet of post-menopausal women prevents calcium loss and bone demineralization--a revolutionary discovery for sufferers of osteoporosis. Best sources: Root veggies (potatoes, parsnips, carrots, etc.) grown in soil rich in boron. Suggested dosage: 3mg daily to prevent osteop. (Too much boron can also be toxic with symptoms including a red rash, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced circulation, shock.)

You might want to also check out fluorine and silicon as a natural treatments for osteop.